Sony DSC-RX100 overview

Housed in a sophisticated aluminum body, the Sony DSC-RX100 Digital Camera (Black) features a 20.2 megapixel Exmor CMOS image sensor that excels in ultra low-light situations. It's equipped with a brilliant f/1.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T Lens with a focal length of 10.4-37.1mm (35mm equivalent: 28-100mm). It also has an integrated pop up flash. You can record ultra high-definition still images in JPEG format, RAW format, or even both simultaneously. The camera also affords Full HD 1080p video capture at 60 frames per second (fps). Plus, it supports a full range of controls for video and still shooting that range from iAUTO to P/A/S/M (Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual).

The RX100 is loaded with shot-enhancing features and high-quality components. The Exmor CMOS image sensor and refined BIONZ image processor work together to facilitate fast DSLR-like focusing speeds even in low-light - and without sacrificing any detail. The lens supports 3.6x optical zoom and 7.2x clear image digital zoom. It also features a multi-layered T coating that dramatically reduces ghost and flare caused by light reflection. For added convenience, the RX100 is equipped with a 3" Xtra Fine LCD display so you'll be able to quickly scroll through menus and pictures. The display even features WhiteMagic technology for increased visibility under intense sunlight.

Other features include a customizable function button that supports up to seven different functions and a memory recall (MR) that can memorize up to three groups of preferred settings. The camera also features Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode, which eliminates blurry images when you're walking with the camera. Sony's even bolstered the image stabilization with an electronic image stabilization that affords blur-free movie shooting and steady zooming in unsteady situations. You can use the Auto Portrait Framing function to capture an additional, beautifully framed and balanced full resolution portrait, when you're out shooting stills. The camera also supports four focus modes, auto HDR, multi-aspect ratio recording, a digital level gauge, multi-frame noise reduction and much more.

Sony designed the DSC-RX100 for capable photographers looking for a high-end compact camera to take on the go. Anyone who spends a lot of time shooting family and friends will also appreciate the camera's Face Detection and Face Registration technology. The RX100 can detect and register up to eight faces. Plus, it will automatically adjust focus, exposure, white balance and flash to ensure you get a clear and crisp shot of those closest to you. You can even tell the camera to prioritize children or adults. With a laundry-list of features and excellent components, the RX100 offers amazing quality and creative freedom in a stylish, compact package.

Enjoy a full range of controls for video and still shooting from iAUTO mode to P/A/S/M: Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual. There are even on-screen prompts which help you refine your skills, build your confidence and exercise greater creative control

Record crystal clear movies in Full HD 1080p at 60 fps. This provides stunning, fast motion video with less distortion for playback on your HDTV. Plus, with dual recording for stills and movies, you can shoot both at the same time

To improve focusing speed and sensitivity, the Exmor CMOS sensor uses its rapid throughput to deliver high-quality image signals to the camera's BIONZ processor, which provides intelligent response data to a high-speed actuator motor in the lens. The result is fast, DSLR-like focusing speeds even in low light

Up to 10 fps Burst Mode

Capture full 20.2 megapixel resolution images at up to 10 fps, helping to ensure that the decisive moment is captured such as the soccer ball flying into the goal. In addition, a mechanical shutter helps reduce distortion when continuously shooting moving subjects

Large 3" Xtra Fine LCD Display

The 3" (1229k dots) Xtra Fine LCD Display makes it easy to scroll through menus and preview pictures. Plus, the large display delivers brilliant-quality still images and movies while enabling easy focusing operation. It also features WhiteMagic technology, which increases visibility in bright daylight

Customizable Function Button

Assign up to seven different functions to the function button, to allow quick access to your most frequently used functions

Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode

Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode enables blur-free movies even while walking. Plus, the camera-shake compensation using Optical SteadyShot/Active Mode has been improved with the addition of electronic image stabilization, which makes it easier to obtain sharp, blur-free movies even when zooming in unsteady situations, such as shooting with one hand while walking

Memory Recall

MR (memory recall) mode can memorize up to three groups of the user's preferred settings. The settings include zoom magnification, white balance, exposure compensation, date and grid lines. This enables quick switching of settings at the right moment

Sophisticated Design with Pop Up Flash

The sophisticated aluminum body is lightweight, slim and strong. There's even an integrated pop up flash, which affords the convenience of flash photography everywhere you go

Auto Portrait Framing

Simply photograph a person and Auto Portrait Framing will save an additional, optimally framed image in portrait or landscape orientation. This mode combines Face Detection and By Pixel Super Resolution technologies with rule of thirds to provide beautifully composed and appealingly balanced full resolution portraits

Auto HDR Mode

Using auto HDR mode allows you to capture more scene dynamic range than a single exposure can handle - and more range than photo film. It combines the best highlight detail from one shot, the best mid-tones from a second shot and the best shadow detail from a third shot for one incredible image (up to 6 EV stops). Plus, it works in a split second (recommended for still subjects)

Face Detection / Face Registration

The camera can automatically detect and register up to eight individual faces and adjust focus, exposure, white balance and flash to help deliver crisp, properly lit images of family and friends. You can even prioritize children or adults

Multi-Aspect Ratio Recording for Still Images

Capture still images in any of four aspect ratios - 1:1, 2:3, 4:3, or 16:9 (vertical to horizontal). This provided the freedom to choose a ratio that matches the scene or the specific shooting purpose

3.6x Optical Zoom & 7.2 Digital Zoom

Most digital zooms use electronic cropping to get closer to the subject, resulting in decreased image sharpness. With Clear Image Zoom the powerful processor compares patterns found in adjacent pixels and creates new pixels to match selected patterns, resulting in more realistic, higher-quality images. Clear Image Zoom digitally doubles optical zoom for closer photos

Four Focusing Modes

This camera has two Autofocus modes: Single-shot AF (AF-S) or Continuous AF (AF-C), which tracks moving objects. It also has Manual Focus for manual focusing freedom, and Direct Manual Focus (DMF), that first uses autofocusing to focus on the subject, and then allows fast and easy switching to manual focusing for even more precise adjustment

MF Assist & Peaking

Manual focus becomes much easier because peaking highlights the edges that are in focus in your choice of three colors (white, red, or yellow). This is especially helpful during macro or portrait photography where your focus setting can make or break your shot

Multi-Frame Noise Reduction

In this mode, the camera automatically shoots multiple images and layers them to produce a single noise-free image. This method provides noise reduction equivalent to a 2-stop lower shutter speed while maintaining the same aperture setting. Since the Multi Frame NR mode can be used in combination with P/A/S/M modes, it expands the user's shooting flexibility

Photo Creativity

The Photo Creativity interface enables you to easily enjoy the creative expression of SLR-quality digital imaging without complex jargon. Changes can be combined, removed and viewed in real time on the LCD display, which makes it a breeze to make adjustments. Choose from several different Photo Creativity functions using the convenient control wheel and center button including: Picture Effect, Background Defocus, Color, Brightness and Vividness

Control how the camera processes your images with six finishing styles: Standard, Vivid, B&W, Sunset, Portrait and Landscape. You can even fine-tune contrast, saturation and sharpness to your personal taste

Sweep Panorama Mode

Capture expansive landscapes automatically. Press the shutter and sweep vertically or horizontally. The camera does the rest by continuously shooting images and stitching them together

Superior Auto Mode

In order to get cleaner, more dynamic pictures and fewer missed shots, the camera automatically recognizes the correct scene mode, then quickly shoots and combines up to six shots to produce images with greater clarity, optimum dynamic range using Backlight Correction HDR technology, and lower image noise using six shot layering technology. Superior Auto can intelligently detect 33 scenes for still images and movies, making it easy to get the best shot

Intelligent Scene Recognition Mode

Intelligent Scene Recognition (iSCN) automatically detects 33 different types of scenes for photos and 44 scenes for movies, and then selects the appropriate camera settings. In Auto Mode, the camera takes a single shot using the optimal settings. In Advanced Mode, the camera takes a photo with the optimal settings and, if in difficult lighting (low light or back light) immediately takes a second photo with another optimized setting so you can choose which to keep

Sony DSC-RX100 reviews

Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 Digital Camera (Black) is rated
4.6 out of
5 by
360.

Rated 3 out of
5 by
Elena GH from
compared to my panasonic lumixalthough I do like my new camera, it is not as great an improvement aa I had hoped for. I like the color better on my panasonic lumix... I like the resolution better on my new Sony... when I get the light / exposure just right the sony is fabulous. but it is harder to get the beauty of the colors to show on the sony.. more often the lumix photos look 'prettier' but perhaps not as exact. I have been using my sony since I got it ( 8 months ago) and now it won't turn on at all.. not sure what the problem is ( whether faulty battery or some other problem ) and have to send it back.. annoying... to wrap it up. not sure I would recommend it to a friend.

Date published: 2014-02-08

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Bob56 from
Excellent CameraI wanted a small camera with a large sensor. I did some research and decided to buy the Sony RX100 and i am glad i did. There are four versions of this camera from model 1 to model 4. I chose the original model 1 because it had the features i needed. The more expensive model 3 and 4 have 4K video, EVF, Adjustable LCD screen. These are great features but i don't need them. The RX100 has an easy menu system. It is made of aluminum and not cheap plastic. Photo and video quality is excellent. Battery life is good. Camera has a 3X optical zoom, I wish it had a 10X zoom. This is a great travel camera. I recommend an LCD screen protector because the screen can be easily scratched.

Date published: 2016-04-10

Rated 3 out of
5 by
eskingme from
Powerful All-in-One Digital Cam, but...Great all around camera for almost everything. Powerful & highly intelligent software. Compact size is great for traveling, but the tiny flash limits its creativity, the auto focus doesn't work too well in dim lit close-up situation, besides, when the flash is used in macro shots, the lens gets in the way & cast shadow that covers almost 1/4 of the picture. Other than flash & macro situation, the camera is certainly better than other digital point & shoot, but in consideration of its price, there maybe better choices within the Sony or even other brands. Great 2nd camera, just don't use the flash for close-up & you'll love this camera

Date published: 2013-01-03

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Michaelk from
WOWThis is a fit in your shirt pocket camera that takes incredible pictures. The large sensor allows for extra sharp prints even if you shoot wide and crop, as I often do. The pop up flash can be bent back and used as a bounce flash! How cool! It has a full set of manual adjustments if you are so inclined but, I found the automatic modes very good. A perfect second camera for DSLR owners. The camera also does great HDR work. it would be absolutely perfect if it had an optical finder. My only complaint was the terrible instruction manual that comes with the camera - the worst. I had to keep refering to online sources for instruction

Date published: 2012-10-24

Rated 1 out of
5 by
Richard in Albuquerque from
Warning - Extreme Humidity SensitivityI got it 6 months ago. We just returned from a 1-week Disney Cruise with the g-kids and the LED screen stopped working. I sent it in for warranty repair...and got it back today un-repaired due to signs of corrosion. It was not subject to anything but 1 week of humidity on a cruise ship (which didn't bother our iPhones or iPads). Now, apparently the camera is toast...a very expensive and disappointing experience! I recall seeing another review mentioning the SAME issue, before purchasing it. I didn't heed the warning because we live in the desert (NM). Sadly...I won't take another chance on a Sony product.

Date published: 2015-08-04

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Shane from
So far, so greatI bought this camera to cary in my purse as my DSLR does not fit! And sometimes, I want to snap a photo and have only my iPhone (which is not bad, but limiting). I love the high ISO without much distortion and shooting in dark places has been a great advantage. Also, the focus is very fast and action shots are much better than my G10. The saturation is also good, but so is my Canon G10. I am still adjusting to the camera's logic and menues, but it is intuitive. I am also adjusting to the absence of a viewfinder and the size of the camera in my hand. I have no complaints. The flash IS poor, but with the high ISO settings, I don't need it!

Date published: 2012-11-29

Rated 5 out of
5 by
RoyBoy from
Great Little CameraI am a professional photographer that has All the best Canon DSLR bodies and L lenses. I wanted a small carry around camera and bought the Sony Rx100. WOW... this little camera is great,with a very sharp lens. You can shoot fast when you need to or do HDR images.I shoot mostly RAW images and the Sony software is not great, but if you have Lightroom or Aperature it is easy to edit your shots. The only down side is there is a learning curve with all the settings, and the manual is not good. I bought a book for my Ipad that explains all the functions and more. This is a great little camera!!!

Date published: 2013-03-08

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Boomer from
Sony P&S RX100The quality of the shots are more then acceptable. This is a superior point & shoot camera. The large sensor makes for very crisp and clear photos. If I could rate it 6 stars I would. Photos right out of the camera are excellent and with very little post processing they are beautiful. If you don't like this camera then you must be doing something wrong and can't operate it correctly. The battery life could be a little better so I recommend buying a spare battery. The automatic settings are perfect for a beginner so don't worry if you are new to photography. I would highly recommend this camera to anyone, beginner to pro.